Ezekiel2

God commissions Ezekiel, addressing him as "Son of man" and empowering him with His Spirit. Ezekiel is sent to the rebellious house of Israel, who have transgressed against God for generations. He is commanded to speak God's words without fear, regardless of their reception, and is shown a scroll filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe.
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Ezekiel Commissioned by the Spirit

1
And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. ​
2
And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. ​

Mission to Rebellious Israel

3
And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. ​
4
For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. ​
5
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. ​

Do Not Fear the Rebellious House

6
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. ​
7
And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
8
But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. ​

The Scroll of Judgment

9
And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; ​
10
And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. ​

Study Notes for Ezekiel 2

Verse 1

Son of man (Hebrew: *ben adam*) is God's characteristic address to Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and dependence on God amidst the divine glory he witnessed in Chapter 1.

Verse 2

The spirit entered into me highlights the necessity of divine empowerment for prophetic ministry, enabling Ezekiel to stand, receive, and physically deliver the message.

Verse 3

Ezekiel is sent to the children of Israel, identified as a profoundly rebellious nation whose transgression is deep-seated, spanning generations ('they and their fathers').

Verse 4

The description 'impudent children and stiffhearted' emphasizes their deep spiritual stubbornness and unwillingness to submit to God's authority (cf. Exod. 32:9).

Verse 5

This verse establishes the purpose of the mission: regardless of the people's response, they will inevitably know that a prophet (and thus God) spoke to them, validating the divine warning.

Verse 6

The imagery of 'briers and thorns' and 'scorpions' vividly portrays the hostility, danger, and spiritual corruption Ezekiel will encounter among his own people (the exiles).

Verse 8

Ezekiel is sternly warned not to imitate the rebellion of the exiles. The command to 'open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee' is a symbolic act of fully internalizing the divine word.

Verse 9

A hand presents a roll of a book (a scroll), symbolizing the authoritative, complete, and written nature of the divine message Ezekiel is about to receive.

Verse 10

Written 'within and without' suggests the message was comprehensive and voluminous, indicating the full measure of God's judgment. The content is summarized as 'lamentations, and mourning, and woe,' signifying inescapable sorrow.

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